Efforts
to Combat Underage Drinking in College Communities
Bring a Total of 90 Arrests

TRENTON
-- Attorney General Peter C. Harvey
and Division of Alcoholic Beverage
Control (ABC) Director Jerry Fischer
today announced that a total of
90 individuals were arrested for
underage drinking as a result
of a statewide effort by the Division
to combat underage drinking in
and around college communities.

Similar to the undercover efforts
conducted during the summer at
the Shore, this effort focuses
on college towns, and surrounding
municipalities, that have a large
influx of young people during
the school year.

“We
are continuing to give our attention
to teenagers who drink alcoholic
beverages. In doing so, we are
trying to protect them from injury
and death,” Attorney General
Harvey said. “Whether it
is at the Shore in the summer
or in a college town in the winter,
local law enforcement officers
and ABC investigators will continue
to work year-round to identify
and stop underage drinkers in
licensed establishments, for their
own safety and the safety of the
public.”

According to Director Fischer,
13 individuals, including one
juvenile, were arrested recently
for underage drinking at Side
Pockets, located in Hooters Restaurant,
at 2319 Rt. 22, in Union Township,
Union County. The arrests were
made February 18 near the Kean
University campus by ABC investigators
and the Union Township Police
Department.

“By
working cooperatively with both
local and county law enforcement
officers, we can further enhance
our efforts to combat underage
drinking throughout New Jersey,
and hopefully, prevent the horrific
consequences that can come from
these irresponsible actions,”
Fischer said.

In addition to criminal charges
that may be filed against underage
persons who purchase alcohol,
the liquor licensee may be subject
to administrative charges from
the ABC or municipal body for
violation of the ABC laws.